History 101 clothing, a Pasadena, California based t-shirt company, is bringing just that in their freshman year of business. Pushing the boundaries of mainstream attire, History 101 seeks to link the past to the present by featuring obscure illustrations that include a bloody lion with diamonds for eyes.
The History
It began in college; while studying World History, co-owner Leonard Griffin, had the idea to correlate his thirst for knowledge and the creative abilities of others. Like Professor James Loewen's national bestselling book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, Griffin also recognized that American history textbooks were either omitting or downright sensationalizing parts of history. In addition to public schools' lack of information, he was also aware that fashion is a driving force in today's pop culture society. He consulted a small team of designers and business people alike to proceed with the ingenious idea of an apparel and education merger.
The Message of History 101
Griffin and the History 101 team believe that there are specific aspects of history that are neglected, as stated in the History 101 mission statement, and they are there “to fill in those gaps.” Their slogan simply says “know where you've been to get where you're going.” Their desire to reach out to the community through fashion is exhibited through their ability to interpret history through art. They believe that this will create a more positive outlook on the importance of education.
History 101 Clothing: The Artwork
The detailed graphics that make up each t-shirt are full of arcane expressions that many potentially have no knowledge of. Each design is a carefully researched, executed, and often controversial topic. Griffin hopes that this will motivate customers, especially the youth, to conduct their own research – delve for a better understanding of certain elements of history, including the blood diamond conflict that continues to plague many parts of Africa and the contentious past of 15th- and 16th-century Spanish explorers. The t-shirts are only available on myspace, and shopping for History 101 clothing is more than just mere shopping; it is an educational experience.
The Website
Since the internet is a hotbed of information and an important means of marketing for small and large businesses alike, History 101 began their official website via myspace. The social networking site provides History 101 with the tools necessary to merchandise and sell their product. Upon visiting their page, the unique background features a magnifying glass and single, green eye that implores one to “look closer,” says Griffin. It is updated daily with significant historical events in “This Day in History” that Griffin explains are found by way of the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
The website is complete with a playlist that features their very own theme song and Sam Cooke's “A Change is Gonna Come.” When asked of the significance of this particular song, Griffin declares, “History 101 is striving for an educational revolution, and we believe that change is imminent.”
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